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Openings, closings & renovations: A look at Centre County business news from October

Stories by Centre Daily Times journalists, with AI summarization

Centre County business updates in October reveal growth and transformation in the State College area. Business stories focused on new ventures opening, long-standing businesses changing hands, and renovations sprucing up existing locations.

Little Lions Play Den entertains children and provides parents some relaxation. The indoor play cafe offers various play areas, a parents' lounge, and a cafe. Juliana Retherford, co-owner, sees this as a needed space for families in the community. We Are Inn in Philipsburg is up for sale, but without plans to close. Owner Pat Romano seeks buyers who can sustain the motel and restaurant. The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Tap House opened on Hiester Street. The bar serves Pennsylvania-made ciders and promotes a conversational atmosphere without loud distractions. Reliance Bank announces a new branch in Bellefonte, aiming to cater to the area's growth. The launch follows the closure of the local PNC Bank, filling a community need for banking services. Each story illustrates ongoing change in the region's economic landscape.

Julianna Retherford is opening Little Lions Play Den, an indoor play cafe at 154 Rolling Ridge Drive in State College. By Abby Drey

NO. 1: STATE COLLEGE INDOOR PLAY CAFE READY TO WELCOME KIDS, PARENTS. HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK

State College-area parents may no longer need to choose between letting their children play and finding some peace of mind themselves. | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Reliance Bank plans to open a Bellefonte branch at 801 E. Bishop St., the former site of a PNC Bank branch. By Jacob Michael

NO. 2: AS ONE BELLEFONTE BANK CLOSES, ANOTHER PREPARES TO OPEN. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

An Altoona-headquartered banking company plans to open a location in Bellefonte next year. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

The Press Cider and Craft Beverage Taphouse at 113 Hiester St. in downtown State College on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 3: PENNSYLVANIA-MADE CIDERS ARE ON TAP AT STATE COLLEGE’S NEWEST BAR. SEE INSIDE

Following months of work in a vacant State College property, Kory Blose has finally opened the bar of his dreams. | Published October 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

A sign indicating a liquor license transfer for Drytop Beverages LLC at 913 W. College Ave., the former home of a Nittany Minit Mart. Taken on Oct. 8, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 4: NEW CONVENIENCE STORE IN THE WORKS IN FERGUSON TOWNSHIP. HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

A new convenience store could soon be coming to Ferguson Township at the home of a former gas station. | Published October 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jacob Michael

One of 75 rooms now featuring two king-sized beds at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 5: NEW RENOVATIONS AIM TO ‘RAISE THE STAKES’ AT THE PENN STATER HOTEL. SEE INSIDE

University leaders and local officials gathered Thursday to celebrate what should be a new era for Penn State’s flagship hotel and conference center. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Project partners alongside Centre County business and development leaders, and elected officials ceremoniously break ground on the new Nittany Residence Club at 321 West Beaver Ave., State College on Oct. 10. By Halie Kines

NO. 6: WORK TO START ON NEW STATE COLLEGE HIGH-RISE, THE AREA’S FIRST ‘CONDO HOTEL’

State College’s first “condo hotel” celebrated its groundbreaking ceremony Friday afternoon as the excitement for Penn State’s homecoming filled the air downtown. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

Honeygrow is nearly ready to open a shop in State College at 170 E. Beaver Ave. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 7: THIS SALAD & STIR-FRY CHAIN IS EYEING AN OCTOBER OPENING IN STATE COLLEGE

Honeygrow, the fast-casual stir-fry and salad chain, is nearly ready to open its doors in downtown State College. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Bobby Rahal Toyota of State College offers Toyota, BMW and Lexus sales and services under one roof at 120 E. Clinton Ave. in State College. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 8: ‘EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.’ LONGTIME STATE COLLEGE DEALERSHIP HAS NEW OWNERSHIP

A longtime State College car dealership is now under new ownership. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew DiSanto

The We Are Inn in Philipsburg is trying to adapt to a fall with no Penn State football season. By Abby Drey

NO. 9: WITH NO PLANS TO CLOSE, PHILIPSBURG’S WE ARE INN IS UP FOR SALE. HERE’S WHY

Although a Philipsburg restaurant and motel are up for sale, their owner has no plans to close either business. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Empanadas from Lupita’s Authentic Mexican Food on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. By Abby Drey

NO. 10: THIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT CLOSED ITS ORIGINAL CENTRE COUNTY LOCATION. HERE’S WHY

A family-owned Mexican restaurant is closing its original State College Centre County location. | Published October 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.